INAND Fornillos made his baskets and his presence count in the closing minute as the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs rolled past the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, 54-52, yesterday in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines junior basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.
Fornillos scored only seven points, with his putback, assist and split free throw in the final minute allowing the Tiger Cubs to pick up their fourth win in 11 matches.
His efforts saw the Baby Tams falling to third spot with their 8-3 card.
This put the Adamson Baby Falcons and the defending champion National University Bullpups closer to the twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four semifinals.
The Baby Tams were enjoying a 52-49 lead when Fornillos struck with a putback that allowed UST to threaten, 51-52, in the last 1:12.
Crispin Cansino, who showed the way with 20 points, then got an assist from Fornillos in the last 45 seconds and hit a layup that allowed UST to move ahead, 53-52.
Fornillos’ freebie in the remaining six seconds finally put the game away in favor of UST.
Meanwhile, Gerry Abadiano shot 15 of his 18-point output in the first half for the Baby Falcons, who smashed De La Salle Zobel, 78-51.